A STUDY OF MOTIVATION IN ADOLECENT TENNIS PLAYERS

The present study aims to analyze the motivational profiles of young tennis players aged between 10 and 12, with a focus on the levels of intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, and amotivation in relation to their sport qualification level. The sample includes 42 participants divided into three qualification groups. The study employed the Sport Motivation Scale by Pelletier, adapted for Bulgarian conditions. Variational, correlational, and dispersion analyses were applied. Results indicate that intrinsic motivation dominates among the most highly qualified athletes, while amotivation is more pronounced in children practicing school-level tennis. A positive relationship was found between sport qualification level and intrinsic motivation. The findings highlight the importance of targeted support for developing autonomous motivation at an early age.